U.S. Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew on his first official visit to Israel this week discussed bilateral economic trade between the allies, while heaping praise on Israel’s economy. But he also touched upon a point of contention between the two countries: nuclear negotiations with Iran and sanctions relief. Read More »

Tehran police have released most of the Iranians who had been arrested on Tuesday for posting a video in which they danced to the song “Happy” by Pharrell Williams, but kept the director in detention, according to the Facebook page created in support of the group. Reihane Taravati, who appears in the video, posted a photo and [...] Read More »

Security forces in Iran have tracked down, arrested and paraded on state television all seven of the men and women filmed singing and dancing in the streets of Tehran to Pharrell Williams’ hit song “Happy.” Read More »

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani ended his first state visit to an Arab country today, leaving the Gulf state of Oman with the promise of a $1 billion pipeline and a 25-year gas deal – delivery time not quite clear. Read More »

Iran is Turkey with oil. That, at least, was the basic conclusion Charlie Robertson of Renaissance Capital drew from a recent trip to Tehran.

The assessment reflects a growing consensus that the withdrawal of sanctions on the country over its nuclear program – the hoped-for outcome of a tentative six-month easing by the U.S. and Europe – would be a huge boon for the country, the region and for investors who get in early. Read More »

Lawyers are starting to actively market their advice to companies in the United Arab Emirates as a limited relaxation of U.S. and EU sanctions against the Islamic Republic throws up a raft of new potential opportunities. Read More »

When the Iranian music group The Pallett appeared on a TV show in January, many saw it as a sign that the tight restrictions on personal expression in the country may be slightly easing. WSJ’s Bill Spindle reports from Tehran. Read More »

A Saudi-based food company that has done well for itself in sanctions-era Iran experienced the downside of investments there this week, when Iran’s double-digit inflation ate into Savola Group’s earnings.

Savola, which makes cooking oil and other staple foods in markets around the Middle East and North Africa, reported a $150 million net profit for the quarter ended December 31, missing most analyst expectations of around $170 million.

The company generates about 15% of total revenue from its business in Iran, pointed out NCB Capital’s Farouk Miah, making that country one of its most important overseas market.

That Saudi Arabia even does business with Iran can be a touchy issue in the kingdom, given a bristling relationship between the two regional rivals.

Politically, Saudi Arabia accuses Iran of interfering in Arab countries. Iran recently entered an accord with the U.S. and other world powers for abatement of its nuclear program, which Saudi Arabia and other countries fear has been a cover for developing nuclear weapons.

Savola, one of the Middle East’s largest food groups, has quietly prospered in Iran, despite the tensions. Regional economists cite a long history of business between key trading families of Iran and Saudi Arabia. Read More »

For more than 20 years, whenever regional war in the Middle East seemed imminent, Israelis unnerved about the prospect of chemical warfare have swarmed government-distribution centers to get gas mask kits.

On Sunday, Israel’s security cabinet said in a statement it would halt distribution of gas mask kits starting next month and cited a “substantial decline’’ in the threat of a chemical missile attack.

Though the announcement didn’t mention Syria directly, the decision reflects Israeli confirmation that the U.S.-Russia brokered disarmament of Damascus’ chemical weapon stockpile has been effective. Read More »